Senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and former federal minister Hammad Azhar has been arrested by police in Lahore in connection with cases linked to the May 9, 2023 violence.
According to police sources, Azhar was taken into custody from the residence of a close friend near the RA Bazaar area after he returned to Lahore from Multan.
The arrest marks a major development in the cases pending against the PTI leader, who had remained at large since the May 9 incidents.
Hammad Azhar arrested from Lahore
Police sources said Azhar was travelling towards Multan when police personnel stopped him for checking.
He was reportedly asked to produce documents during the checking process. According to the police account, Azhar subsequently left the area and later returned to Lahore.
Police then arrested him from the residence of a close friend near RA Bazaar.
Following his arrest, Azhar was handed over to the Investigation Wing for further questioning, according to police sources.
Authorities are expected to investigate his alleged involvement in the cases registered in connection with the May 9 events.
Wanted in more than 50 cases
Police said Hammad Azhar is wanted in more than 50 cases related to the May 9, 2023 incidents.
One of the cases concerns the alleged attack on Lahore’s GOR Gate during the violence that followed the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan in May 2023.
The cases against Azhar cover allegations connected to the unrest, while the legal proceedings will determine the status of the allegations against him.
The arrest comes after a prolonged period during which Azhar remained unavailable to police authorities in connection with the cases.
Court had declared Azhar proclaimed offender
According to police sources, the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) had previously declared Hammad Azhar a proclaimed offender because of his repeated non-appearance before the court.
The court also issued permanent arrest warrants for the PTI leader, according to the police.
The legal status meant authorities were seeking his arrest in connection with the pending cases.
His latest arrest is therefore expected to lead to further proceedings before the relevant courts, where the cases against him will continue according to legal procedure.
Protective bail pleas filed
Hammad Azhar had also approached the Lahore High Court and Peshawar High Court seeking protective bail in cases registered against him.
The PTI leader’s legal efforts to secure protection from arrest had been part of the broader legal proceedings surrounding the May 9 cases.
With his arrest now confirmed by police sources, the courts will determine the next steps in the cases and any bail-related proceedings.
PTI role and political background
Hammad Azhar is a senior PTI figure and previously served as a federal minister.
Following the registration of cases against him, Azhar resigned from his party position. PTI had earlier assigned him the responsibility of serving as president of the party’s Punjab chapter.
His arrest is likely to attract political attention given the continuing legal cases involving PTI leaders over the May 9 violence.
The May 9 cases remain an important part of the legal challenges facing several PTI figures, with courts continuing to deal with arrests, bail applications and other proceedings.
The latest development places Azhar’s cases back in focus as investigators begin further questioning following his arrest in Lahore.
Also read: PTI Leader Seemabia Tahir Arrested
